Local doctors implant first trial heart device

Published: Monday, March 4, 2013 at 7:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 4, 2013 at 7:19 p.m.

Houma doctors with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South are the first in the nation to implant a new device for the treatment of heart failure.

Morgan City resident Joseph Stelly, 70, received the historic implant of the Barostim neo device, which is being studied to determine its safety and effectiveness for treating mild-to-severe heart failure. The pacemaker-like device works by painlessly stimulating natural sensors under skin in the neck to send signals to the brain to regulate blood flow.

The idea is that the device can help improve blood pressure control, increase efficiency in heart function and improve blood flow to the organs.

“Mr. Stelly’s severe heart failure problem persisted despite appropriate medical therapy, and thus he seemed to be a good candidate for the Barostim neo implantation,” said Dr. Richard Abben of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South.

Abben, working with Dr. Edgar Feinberg, also of the Cardiovascular Institute, implanted the device in Stelly last month. The two are serving as primary investigators for a research trial on the device, called the Barostim HOPE4HF study.

Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. It can be caused by a heart attack, which damages the heart muscle. The main symptoms of heart failure include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath or swelling of the legs or ankles.

Without treatment, heart failure will worsen over time, and patients may die within five years of being diagnosed.

Stelly suffered from chronic heart problems, including hypertension and a weakened heart muscle. He has coronony stents and a pacemaker-defibrillator.

“I could hardly walk. I was so short-winded,” Stelly said. “I couldn’t breathe.”

Because of these conditions, he suffered reoccurring bouts of congestive heart failure, requiring multiple hospitalizations, including two within the past six weeks.

“Mr. Stelly has been experiencing significant fatigue, reduction of exercise capacity, fluid retention and severe shortness of breath, and these symptoms have been resistant to standard heart failure medications,” Abben said.

Many with heart failure continue to have symptoms despite advancements in medications and treatments. Approximately one-third of patients with heart failure either do not qualify for or do not benefit from therapy.

The implantation procedure lasted 65 minutes and was performed at Terrebonne General Medical Center.

Two weeks after the procedure, Stelly reported his problems with fatigue, shortness of breath and exercise capability were significantly improved.

“I can walk now. I can breathe,” Stelly said. “Dr. Abben has been my doctor for a long time, and he saved my life.”

Because the device is still in the trial phase, the potential long-term impacts and benefits will not be understood until more patients are evaluated and the study is complete, Abben said.

“But we are certainly hopeful that his gratifying improvement to this unique therapy will continue to progress and that this technology can be successfully applied to a broader group of patients with the disabling condition of heart failure,” Abben said.

To qualify for participation in the trial, patients must experience severe heart failure while receiving optimal medical therapy. They either must not qualify for or have not benefitted sufficiently from cardiac resynchronization therapy.

If you think you may qualify, or if you are interested in learning more about the trial, call the Cardiovascular Institute of the South Research Department at 873-5613.

Nikki Buskey can be reached at 857-2205 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.

<p>Houma doctors with the Cardiovascular Institute of the South are the first in the nation to implant a new device for the treatment of heart failure.</p><p>Morgan City resident Joseph Stelly, 70, received the historic implant of the Barostim neo device, which is being studied to determine its safety and effectiveness for treating mild-to-severe heart failure. The pacemaker-like device works by painlessly stimulating natural sensors under skin in the neck to send signals to the brain to regulate blood flow.</p><p>The idea is that the device can help improve blood pressure control, increase efficiency in heart function and improve blood flow to the organs.</p><p>“Mr. Stelly's severe heart failure problem persisted despite appropriate medical therapy, and thus he seemed to be a good candidate for the Barostim neo implantation,” said Dr. Richard Abben of the Cardiovascular Institute of the South.</p><p>Abben, working with Dr. Edgar Feinberg, also of the Cardiovascular Institute, implanted the device in Stelly last month. The two are serving as primary investigators for a research trial on the device, called the Barostim HOPE4HF study.</p><p>Heart failure is a condition that occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can be caused by a heart attack, which damages the heart muscle. The main symptoms of heart failure include fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath or swelling of the legs or ankles.</p><p>Without treatment, heart failure will worsen over time, and patients may die within five years of being diagnosed.</p><p>Stelly suffered from chronic heart problems, including hypertension and a weakened heart muscle. He has coronony stents and a pacemaker-defibrillator.</p><p>“I could hardly walk. I was so short-winded,” Stelly said. “I couldn't breathe.” </p><p>Because of these conditions, he suffered reoccurring bouts of congestive heart failure, requiring multiple hospitalizations, including two within the past six weeks.</p><p>“Mr. Stelly has been experiencing significant fatigue, reduction of exercise capacity, fluid retention and severe shortness of breath, and these symptoms have been resistant to standard heart failure medications,” Abben said. </p><p>Many with heart failure continue to have symptoms despite advancements in medications and treatments. Approximately one-third of patients with heart failure either do not qualify for or do not benefit from therapy.</p><p>The implantation procedure lasted 65 minutes and was performed at Terrebonne General Medical Center. </p><p>Two weeks after the procedure, Stelly reported his problems with fatigue, shortness of breath and exercise capability were significantly improved. </p><p>“I can walk now. I can breathe,” Stelly said. “Dr. Abben has been my doctor for a long time, and he saved my life.”</p><p>Because the device is still in the trial phase, the potential long-term impacts and benefits will not be understood until more patients are evaluated and the study is complete, Abben said.</p><p>“But we are certainly hopeful that his gratifying improvement to this unique therapy will continue to progress and that this technology can be successfully applied to a broader group of patients with the disabling condition of heart failure,” Abben said.</p><p>To qualify for participation in the trial, patients must experience severe heart failure while receiving optimal medical therapy. They either must not qualify for or have not benefitted sufficiently from cardiac resynchronization therapy. </p><p>If you think you may qualify, or if you are interested in learning more about the trial, call the Cardiovascular Institute of the South Research Department at 873-5613.</p><p>Nikki Buskey can be reached at 857-2205 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.</p>